The Yamaha has the best suspension in class but in 2026 it isn’t as comfortable as it once was. We recently had a chance to ride our test bike(s) in Georgia and in California in order to try and get you more dialed in on your stock suspension. Here are some baseline settings for you to try and a map for each side of the coast you may be riding in.
East:
The 2026 Yamaha YZ450F on softer/grabbier (yes, I said grabbier) dirt doesn’t feel nearly as stiff as it does in Southern California conditions but the fork can feel even lower on de-cel when the dirt gets soft and the ruts get deep. Out on the east coast the ruts form and gets soft pockets in them and that means that the depth of the east coast ruts vary as they get longer. Sometimes the ruts have sizable soft pockets in them so lengthening the front end (lowering fork height) and stiffening the compression helps the balance of the bike off throttle as you enter corners. This is something that isn’t felt as much on the west coast. Below is a setting that helps balance the bike out in these conditions. If your local east coast track firms up then simply back out the compression (LSC on shock) a couple clicks on each end. The rebound is already faster than stock but you will want to leave that alone as this bike likes faster rebound settings in order for the wheel to follow the ground better.
Fork:
Spring Rate: 5.0N/m
Height: Flush-1mm
Comp: 8 clicks out
Rebound: 11 clicks out
Shock:
Spring Rate: 56N/m
Sag: 106mm
LSC: 11 clicks out
HSC: 1-1/4
Rebound: 12 clicks out
West:
For West coast you should be more worried about traction and comfort as well as edge of tire feel over hold up. The setting below was as good as I could get the comfort on the stock setting. Getting your fork flush will actually help the front end track better so don’t worry about vague feel at the end of your corners with this fork height. Make sure to run a good front tire like a Dunlop MX3SF as that will help the Yamaha have more bite. Below is a setting for you to try if you need a little more comfort with your bLU cRU.
Fork:
Spring Rate: 5.0N/m
Height: Flush
Comp: 10 clicks out
Rebound: 12 clicks out
Shock:
Spring Rate: 56N/m
Sag: 104mm
LSC: 14 clicks out
HSC: 1-1/8-1-1/4
Rebound: 13 clicks out
ECU Map:
This map is good for either coast and allows for a freer feel which helps the chassis and improves throttle response.
